LINCOLN, Neb. (June 22, 2015) — Chicago Bulls forward and former Creighton University basketball star Doug McDermott has been named Grand Marshal of the State Games of America (SGA) Parade of Athletes.
McDermott will lead athletes from 46 different states onto the field at Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on July 31 to kick off the State Games of America Opening Ceremonies. He joins Athlete Ambassadors Lolo Jones and Jordan Burroughs in a star-studded evening featuring the Metal Mulisha freestyle motocross team and the Army Golden Knights parachute team.
“I’m honored to join the State Games of America team. This is going to be an awesome event for the entire State of Nebraska, and I’m looking forward to leading the parade of athletes at the opening ceremonies,” McDermott said.
The Opening Ceremonies mark the official beginning of the 2015 State Games of America, a biennial Olympic-style sports festival with competition in 67 sports at more than 45 venues in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding communities.
McDermott recently completed his rookie season with the NBA’s Bulls who drafted him 11th overall following the 2013-14 season, in which McDermott led the nation in scoring, was the consensus national player of the year and a first-team all American at Creighton. He finished his college career as the fifth-leading scorer in NCAA history with 3,150 points and holds Creighton career records in points, field goals (1,141), 3-point percentage (.458) and free throws made (594).
McDermott will join Jones and Burroughs in a meet-and-greet with SGA athletes at the University of Nebraska’s Hawks Championship center from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. prior to the Opening Ceremonies. The meet-and-greet is part of SportFest, the SGA’s pre-Opening Ceremonies gathering featuring a free meal for registered athletes, live music and games.
More than 8,000 amateur athletes have registered for the SGA and officials expect total entries to exceed 18,000 by the time entries close for most sports on July 1. Entries include more than 4,500 Nebraskans, who enjoy the host-state privilege of open entry and some 3,500 participants who’ve qualified in State Games events in other states around the country. The only states not currently represented are Hawaii, Maine, Vermont and West Virginia.
Those interested in participating in or attending the State Games of America, can register, purchase tickets or find more information at SGA2015.com.